Gitmo inmates on hunger strike over seizure of Korans, personal belongings

[Cidersomerset]

DE_11Em94W4

Published on 12 Mar 2013


Lawyers for Guantanamo Bay inmates have claimed "all but a few men" are on a hunger
strike over their Qurans being taken away. The condition of the strikers "appears to be
rapidly deteriorating and reaching a potentially critical level," they said. Most of 130
people housed in Camp 6 of Guantanamo Bay may be involved in the strike. READ
MORE: http://rt.com/news/guantanamo-massive...

======================================================
PRESS TV....

Guantanamo prisoners on hunger strike over of Qur’ans

http://previous.presstv.ir/photo/20130311/nushi20130311235502710.jpg
A detainee is carried by military police after being interrogated by officials at Camp X-
Ray at the US Naval Base at




Detainees at the United States’ infamous Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba are
staging a mass hunger strike to protest disrespect of the Qur’an and confiscation of
personal items, their lawyers and prison officials say.


Attorneys for more than a dozen of the prisoners said on Monday that the protest
was prompted by a series of searches that began on February 6 in which a number
of personal items, including books, CDs, blankets, and legal mail, were confiscated.

"My client and other men have reported that most of the detainees in Camp 6 are
on strike, except for a small few who are elderly or sick," AFP quoted Pardiss
Kebriaei, a New York lawyer representing Ghaleb Al-Bihani, a detainee from Yemen,
as saying.

Camp 6, a 200-cell penitentiary style building, houses the majority of the detainees
incarcerated at the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay.

Kebriaei said that during his 30-day hunger strike, her client has "lost over 20
pounds (9 kilograms) and has been told by medical personnel that his health is in
serious danger as he is also a diabetic."

A prison spokesman, Navy Capt. Robert Durand, said that there were only nine
detainees who missed enough meals to be classified under the military’s rules as
being on hunger strike, adding that five of them were being fed through tubes
inserted into their stomachs.

"Refusing delivered food does not make a detainee a hunger striker, not eating
does," he said.

"Detainees or an entire cell block may refuse to take any of the fresh, hot meals
delivered, but we observe them eating from the ample amounts of food they have
in the cell block," he stated.

Barry Wingard, the lawyer for three other prisoners, said that one of his three
clients, Kuwaiti Fayez Al-Kandari, lost 26 pounds (12 kilograms) in three and a half
weeks, noting that all three were on hunger strike, he added.

Lawyers for more than a dozen of the prisoners said they have sent a letter to the
commander of Guantanamo, Rear Admiral John Smith, to denounce "a matter that
appears to be rapidly deteriorating and reaching a potentially critical level."


"We have received reports of men coughing blood, being hospitalized, losing
consciousness, becoming weak and fatigued," the letter said.


"We understand that Arabic interpreters employed by the prison have been
searching the men's Qur’an in ways that constitute desecration according to their
religious beliefs, and that guards have been disrespectful during prayer times."

The lawyers called for a quick resolution of the situation, saying "the practices
occurring today threaten to turn back the clock to the worst moments of
Guantanamo's history."

The United States holds about 166 men at the prison. A mass hunger strike
involved many of the prisoners in the summer of 2005 but the protest dwindled
after the military began tying people down and force-feeding them liquid nutrients
through tubes to prevent them from starving to death.

MN/HGL

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/03/12/293126/quran-seizures-spark-gitmo-hunger-strike/

[Wind]

No one deserves to be tortured or treated like that, not even criminals. I'm not even sure that how many people in Gitmo actually are terrorists. They are basically doing the same thing as nazis did with their camps.

[NewFounderHome]

Well we hear something in mainsrteam media. NOT! I was dreaming! SORRY.

[Tesla_WTC_Solution]

I am so ashamed to have been in an Air Force that was responsible for transporting these helpless people to a "black prison" where there is no hope of justice or escape...

Little did I know that the planes I worked on and helped maintain where the same vehicles used to transport many of these hapless individuals, including minors.

[AutumnW]

No one deserves to be tortured or treated like that, not even criminals. I'm not even sure that how many people in Gitmo actually are terrorists. They are basically doing the same thing as nazis did with their camps.

Very well put. Many of these prisoners are innocent Afghani villagers turned in by fellow Afghanis with zero proof of wrong doing. There was a price per head paid for 'taliban terrorists'. Great way for the unscrupulous to settle a personal feud a d make a little cash on the side. It is a f@$'&ing travesty!

[Cidersomerset]

IKfwAV4tbB0

Published on 15 Mar 2013


In Guantanamo Bay, detainees have gone on a hunger strike in an attempt to
regain their possessions. The US military has taken away personal items including
Korans. According to some reports, the group has reached 100 people and their
goal is to change the way the guards handle their religious text. Kevin Gosztola, a
blogger for FireDogLake, joins us with more on the protest.

[Cidersomerset]

tr04j8EZtBY

Published on 15 Mar 2013


More than a hundred prisoners at the Guantanamo camp have been on a hunger
strike for five weeks now, in a desperate attempt to draw attention to their dismal
plight. The strike was launched in protest against the confiscation of personal
letters, and the rough handling of their Korans. Their lawyers and human rights
activists are sounding the alert over their critical condition, but US military officials
claim nobody's in danger.

Eric Montalvo, one of lawyers representing Gitmo prisoners, claims running the
facility and spending millions in doing so, is just absurd, with those cleared of all
charges by the Obama administration still held there for no reason.

[Cidersomerset]

rcv3SqcmaWo

Published on 15 Mar 2013


For approximately five weeks, over 100 detainees at Guantanamo Bay have been
participating in a large scale hunger strike. The demonstration was sparked after
the US military confiscated personal belongings of inmates including the Muslim
holy book Koran. The Joint Task Force at Guantanamo has released a statement
claiming that the conditions at Gitmo have not deteriorated and reports alleging
otherwise are "patently false." Pardiss Kabriaei with the Center for Constitutional
Rights joins us with more on how much longer could this hunger strike really last.

[Cidersomerset]

jW5uTGKOadw

Published on 16 Mar 2013


There is a palpable sense of despair amongst the Guantanamo Bay prisoners,
both those who years ago had been told they would be released and those
who were designated for indefinite detention, investigative journalist
Andy Worthington told RT - READ FULL SCRIPT http://on.rt.com/49wyis

[blufire]

The articles clearly state they are on a hunger strike because their Qur’ans and personal belongings were taken . . . . only. They have not been tortured or beaten.

As a rule personal belongings are taken in a prison setting as punishment for something the prisoner has done.

They are served the food and served food according to their specific diets, it is their choice whether they eat it or not. It also says many are only refusing to eat the food brought to them but are eating food they have in their cells.

Is everyone in this prison guilty? Probably not. But this is not why they are on hunger strike.

Are most in this prison guilty of committing horrendous crimes against humanity? Yes.

So what is the answer here? What should punishment for murdering, raping, terrorism and other terrific crimes against women children and men be?

Gitmo is where the worst of the worst global criminals and terrorists are sent and these men are masters of manipulation and coercion.

Of which this little ‘hunger strike’ is . . . . .

[Cidersomerset]

The articles clearly state they are on a hunger strike because their Qur’ans and personal belongings were taken . . . . only. They have not been tortured or beaten.

As a rule personal belongings are taken in a prison setting as punishment for something the prisoner has done.

They are served the food and served food according to their specific diets, it is their choice whether they eat it or not. It also says many are only refusing to eat the food brought to them but are eating food they have in their cells.

Is everyone in this prison guilty? Probably not. But this is not why they are on hunger strike.

Are most in this prison guilty of committing horrendous crimes against humanity? Yes.

So what is the answer here? What should punishment for murdering, raping, terrorism and other terrific crimes against women children and men be?

Gitmo is where the worst of the worst global criminals and terrorists are sent and these men are masters of manipulation and coercion.

Of which this little ‘hunger strike’ is . . . . .

I think over eighty of the 166 prisoners currently at Gitmo are innocent of the
charges and are free to go, but no country will take them or some other technicality.
Its illegal to keep them on Cuban territory and the US mainland.So they are left in
limbo on a leased base.Very few of them are terrorrists,they are just victims of the
9/11 inside job as far as i can see !!

[Cidersomerset]

HUMAN
RIGHTS
WATCH

FACTS & FIGURES: Military Commisoins v Federal Courts....


http://multimedia.hrw.org/dataviz/gitmo/guantanao_tenyears_banner.jpg

Over the past two years the US Congress has enacted legislation blocking the
transfer of detainees at Guantanamo to the United States for trial. One aim of the
legislation is to compel the government to try terrorism suspects before military
commissions at Guantanamo rather than in federal courts. While the rules
governing military commissions have improved since Barack Obama became
president, the system at Guantanamo remains deeply flawed, preventing fair trials.
Meanwhile, federal courts have been far more effective at prosecuting terrorism
cases.



PODCAST: Find out why Guantanamo remains open and how US counter-terrorism
policy is threatening rights at home and abroad. With HRW's Andrea Prasow and
Baher Azmy of the Center for Constitutional Rights.
On Link...

http://www.hrw.org/features/guantanamo-facts-figures


FACTS and FIGURES

779

Total number of detainees who have been held at the Guantanamo Bay facility
since September 11, 2001 attacks is 779.

600

Of the 779 detainees, roughly 600 were released without charges, many after being
detained for years.

166

Total number of detainees remaining at Guantanamo.

86

Number of the 166 detainees who the US has approved for transfer to home or
third countries but remain at Guantanamo.

15

Number of children under age 18 who have been imprisoned at Guantanamo. [1]

9

Number of Guantanamo detainees who died while in custody, six by suspected suicide.

7

Number of those convicted in the military commissions after trial or plea bargain.

6

Of the 166 detainees that remain at Guantanamo only six, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri,
and the September 11, 2001 co-defendants face any formal charges.






READ MORE....

http://www.hrw.org/features/guantanamo-facts-figures

[Tesla_WTC_Solution]

Did any of you guys read the info about Gitmo detainees being given a high dose of Mefloquine in order to accentuate the waterboarding etc.?

the drug causes severe brain damage and is particularly harmful to people with TBIs... pharmacological warfare at its best... :(

[Cidersomerset]

Did any of you guys read the info about Gitmo detainees being given a high dose of Mefloquine in order to accentuate the waterboarding etc.?

the drug causes severe brain damage and is particularly harmful to people with TBIs... pharmacological warfare at its best...



No but it seems torture is acceptable and this 2010 article exposes a
experimental drug issue at Gitmo.

Fireside: GITMO Detainees Drugged

GUc6elU3mi4

Uploaded on 6 Dec 2010


An investigation by the Seton Hall University School of Law shows that the US
military routinely administered high doses of a malaria drug, which poses severe
psychological side effects to detainees at Guantanamo Bay. A drug that even in
standard doses can cause severe side effects like hallucinations, convulsions,
psychotic behavior, and memory impairment and in massive doses could make
those side effects last for weeks, or even months.

[Cidersomerset]

Torture -The Guantanamo Guidebook

This is a reconstruction of the 'enhanced interrogation'
techniques used at 'Guantorturamo' explicit pictures
of simulated torture and abuse !! WARNING !

By Channel 4 News.......What is forgotten most of the detainies
were captured in Afghanistan, not as terrorists but captured
combatents or being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Sold by US Afghan allies to the US, and were already traumatised
by being rough handled before being handed over to the US.


HCUzHnVeI10

Published on 28 Aug 2012


UK's channel 4 "Guantanamo Handbook" documentary

[blufire]

Are these detainees American citizens?

If not why should they be allowed in American federal courts and even on US soil?

Terrorism is an act of war and therefore military related and should be in a military court.

I personally do not want these individuals held or allowed on US soil for any reason . . . .for one very simple fact . . . . that would give ‘anyone’ a really good reason to attack the US again and more than likely on a much larger devastating scale than 9/11

Of the 86 who are approved to go ‘home’ where is their home . . . .the US or other country? What is stopping them from returning home if they have been approved? I remember reading an article a while back that many detained at Guantanamo Bay facility do not (or did not) want to go back to their country of origin, because they prefer living there for several reasons. If they do not want to back to their country of origin then what does the US do? Throw them back to the country that probably more than likely kill them on sight?

This issue is complicated. Terrorism and this level of crime and espionage is complicated and multifaceted.

Hey! I have an idea. how about if the UK takes them? Maybe they could have a more fair trial there anyway and probably closer to their country of origin.

[Cidersomerset]

Are these detainees American citizens?

If not why should they be allowed in American federal courts and even on US soil?

Terrorism is an act of war and therefore military related and should be in a military court.

I personally do not want these individuals held or allowed on US soil for any reason . . . .for one very simple fact . . . . that would give ‘anyone’ a really good reason to attack the US again and more than likely on a much larger devastating scale than 9/11

Of the 86 who are approved to go ‘home’ where is their home . . . .the US or other country? What is stopping them from returning home if they have been approved? I remember reading an article a while back that many detained at Guantanamo Bay facility do not (or did not) want to go back to their country of origin, because they prefer living there for several reasons. If they do not want to back to their country of origin then what does the US do? Throw them back to the country that probably more than likely kill them on sight?

This issue is complicated. Terrorism and this level of crime and espionage is complicated and multifaceted.

Hey! I have an idea. how about if the UK takes them? Maybe they could have a more fair trial there anyway and probably closer to their country of origin.

The vast majority are not Terrorists as far as I can tell....only possibly 13 out of the
original 779 seem to be possible terrorists.Even if they were all terrorists i think
there must be better ways of getting the information needed to corroborate any
real leads they have on the prisoners.

I have no sympathy for real terrorists ! But this seems obsene and what does
it do for our boys if captured in the future ?

[blufire]

Okay, wait a minute. The topic of this thread is being deviated from.

Specifically the detainees are on a ‘hunger strike’ because their personal belongings were confiscated. NOT from torture or abuse.

[Cidersomerset]

Okay, wait a minute. The topic of this thread is being deviated from.

Specifically the detainees are on a ‘hunger strike’ because their personal belongings were confiscated. NOT from torture or abuse.

True but thats seems to be the tip of the iceberg


Are most in this prison guilty of committing horrendous crimes against humanity? Yes.

So what is the answer here? What should punishment for murdering, raping, terrorism and other terrific crimes against women children and men be?

Gitmo is where the worst of the worst global criminals and terrorists are sent and these men are masters of manipulation and coercion.

Of which this little ‘hunger strike’ is . . . . .

I was answering these questions, i know its not simple. But Obama did promise to close the facility but was persuaded not to
by his security advisors.If they really were evil terrorists i think they would have been found guilty of something by now.

[blufire]

The facility cannot be closed for the simple fact those remaining have no where to go . . . as you have stated no country will allow them entrance and a handful are guilty and waiting their sentence.

[Cidersomerset]

The facility cannot be closed for the simple fact those remaining have no where to go . . . as you have stated no country will allow them entrance and a handful are guilty and waiting their sentence.

Quite right so security should be relaxed and the media let in and the UN should be
allowed to arrange relocation of the majority of men and the remaining half dozen
should need a handfull of guards.I'm sure the UN would have a better chance of
relocating them quitely than the US.

This has cost the US tax payer a lot of money already let alone the bad press.

[Cidersomerset]

For Balance I found this from PENTEGON TV.

Recon: Inside the Wire at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Camp Delta

Its based on a 'Compliant' system the more they 'comply' the better
their conditions......Does this sound familier from somewhere ??


DfUJbQ-yd9Q


Published on 7 Oct 2012


We take you to the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Camp Delta for
a look at some of the world's most dangerous enemy combatants guarded by US
service members.

This is the LARGEST military videos channel on YouTube! Over 1.25 Million views a
month. Check out our military items store. We have items for families of our
military heros. Use the channel search bar or look through the playlist, or just
browse to see more of the types of videos you like. More video posted almost every
day. Don't forget to Friend us on Facebook at "Military Videos"! and get the latest
photos also!

[blufire]

I have no sympathy for real terrorists ! But this seems obsene and what does

And what seems ‘obscene’ Cidersomerset? That these remaining detainees had their personal belongings seized? I scanned through the material and no where does it say why. I have a feeling their belonging were seized for some type of infraction. Whether they are innocent or not the soldiers have to keep some sort of order. It is not the soldiers or guards fault these people have no where to go. This ‘hunger strike’ to me is like a two year old stomping their feet because they don’t get desert.

If they were still being abused and tortured then that is obscene, but not because they no longer have what amounts to a religious document and other comforts taken away.

I know I seem cold on this issue, but I have grown weary of things like this being blown out of proportion and the real issues covered. I have a friend that is stationed there. I was basically a second mother to him as he grew up. There is much more to this facility than the ‘regular’ person knows or will ever hear of.

[Cidersomerset]

I have no sympathy for real terrorists ! But this seems obsene and what does
And what seems ‘obscene’ Cidersomerset? That these remaining detainees had their personal belongings seized? I scanned through the material and no where does it say why. I have a feeling their belonging were seized for some type of infraction. Whether they are innocent or not the soldiers have to keep some sort of order. It is not the soldiers or guards fault these people have no where to go. This ‘hunger strike’ to me is like a two year old stomping their feet because they don’t get desert.

If they were still being abused and tortured then that is obscene, but not because they no longer have what amounts to a religious document and other comforts taken away.

I know I seem cold on this issue, but I have grown weary of things like this being blown out of proportion and the real issues covered. I have a friend that is stationed there. I was basically a second mother to him as he grew up. There is much more to this facility than the ‘regular’ person knows or will ever hear of.

What are they guilty of ?? There is propaganda from all sides and thats why
its time to open the doors.The real question is why do the Government still
want it to stay open ?

[blufire]

for reasons we will never fully know . . . nor should we (why it stays open and highly guarded)

[Cidersomerset]

Gitmo Gutter: 'Inmates cough blood, could go blind'

H5YgTVG61Tc

Published on 19 Mar 2013


The prisoners' hunger strike at Guantanamo Bay is growing - which even US
military officials now admit. Bt they still deny that inmates are being mistreated or
that some lives are in danger, as lawyers claim. hat's more, the lack of response
from humanitarian organizations is raising eyebrows, as Marina Portnaya explains.

[Cidersomerset]

Vigil outside White House draws attention to Gitmo hunger strike


R0zMjLkF1qc

Published on 20 Mar 2013


On Wednesday night, a group of protesters gathered in front of the White House to
draw attention to the hunger strike being acted out by detainees in Guantanamo
Bay. According to reports, nearly 100 detainees have gone over 40 days without
food after the US military confiscated the prisoners' belongings including copies of
the Koran. RT's Margaret Howell brings us more from the White House.

[Cidersomerset]

Kucinich: Gitmo black mark on US, absurd & lawless


kZhdrUcYsmo

Published on 21 Mar 2013


A top US general says the hunger strike among Guantanamo Bay prisoners shows
their frustration with the government's failure to close the facility - rejecting reports
it's over mistreatment and the desecration of the Koran. The number of participants
acknowledged by the Pentagon has now risen to 25 - but detainees' lawyers
maintain it's more than one hundred. Former Democratic Congressman and two
time presidential candidate, Dennis Kucinich, says Guantanamo is a symptom of
America's ongoing post 9/11 anxiety.

[Cidersomerset]

General Kelly says base needs $170 million dollars to upgrade the base !!

Alot of US money and prestige is going down the tube in Cuba !

IV1i2nVrNQw


Published on 21 Mar 2013


According to the head of US Southern Command Gen. John Kelly, the facilities in
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba are in need of a renovation. The proposed money will go to
improving the barracks and dining hall which are deteriorating, but at the same
time a group of prisoners being held at the site are on day 44 of a massive hunger
strike due to the confiscation of copies of the Koran. According to reports, the living
conditions are declining. Retired US Air Force Col. Morris Davis joins us to discuss
the proposition and the state of Gitmo.

[Cidersomerset]

Re-design? US requests $49 mn to renovate Gitmo instead of shutting down

Deliberate obstruction by the department of deffence to attorneys!!


38Pz1HaBg50


Published on 23 Mar 2013


The Guantanamo Bay hunger strike has gone beyond the critical 45 day mark,
when doctors say the body is deprived of nutrition. Officials at the detention center
in Cuba have acknowledged more detainees are joining the protest over alleged
mistreatment. This comes amid a Pentagon request for 49 million dollars to build a
new prison building and carry out renovations - despite a 4 year-old promise to
shut it down. Gayane Chichakyan has more.